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Saturday Post Mortem - July 29

3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on July 29.

THE STARS

KIM WAUGH – Big wins in Sydney and Brisbane and couple of placings to boot. A super day for an accomplished trainer.


HUGH BOWMAN – You win some, you lose some. Shut the door on Brenton Avdulla’s premiership hopes with a Rosehill double, lost another on race on protest and ended the day with a suspension. Enjoy the Kokoda Track!

JAMIE KAH – Caps her Adelaide premiership win with her 500th career victory. A fine season.

BOBBY EL-ISSA – Landed the Townsville Cup on the favourite Chivadahli with a terrific rails ride. A deserving feature win after his health and career battles.

JAMES CUMMINGS - Lands his first black type win for Godolphin with a rare Adelaide runner.

CHRISTIAN REITH/BRAD WIDDUP – Brothers-in-law are running hot. Reith lands a Rosehill a double including a first city win for Widdup.

DOM TOURNEUR - Good to see top Adelaide rider land first black type win since his return form injury.

CHAD LEVER - He’s become the king of the NSW Provincials. Dominated the Gosford meeting with four wins.



THEY SAID IT!

• “I had a bit of ground to make up on Brenton. After a few inspirational words from my wife, Chris Waller and other trainers I decided to knuckle down and it really gave me something to focus on." – Hugh Bowman’s sums up his drive to win the Sydney premiership.

• “I don't feel sorry for Brenton. There is nowhere to hide at the top level and I found that out the hard way. He'll be a better rider for it.” – Bowman’s words of advice to runner-up Brenton Avdulla.

• “I'm pretty sure if people followed and supported Charlevoix I'm still in their bad books.” Craig Williams after his Charlevoiux slaughter and later win on Shamport at Caulfield.

• "It's been a great season. It was a great fight with Beau.” Williams on his premiership win over apprentice Beau Mertens.

• "I exceeded my expectations. I was brave in defeat and Craig's a very good competitor - I'm thrilled to run second to him." – a gracious Beau Mertens on his breakout season.

• “We tried. We went out there and rode and it was obviously very strong gusts. They had to tie the barriers down to tractors with chains. Obviously, the barriers weigh a lot more than a horse and the horses were getting blown around and everybody agreed that it was just not safe." – Steve Baster describes the gale force conditions at Caulfield.

• "He can be a cranky boy but he's a lovely horse. If I didn't think he was worth going on with I would have stopped." – Kim Waugh on her problem horse Shiraz.

• "That's Brad's fifth winner from just 15 starters. He's going great guns and I couldn't be happier." - Damion Flower, the big spending owner of Suspenders who has put his support behind new trainer Brad Widdup.

SIN BIN

CRAIG WILLIAMS: Even he admitted it was a shocker of a ride on Charlevoix at Caulfield.

DULCIMUS: Big flop at the short odds at Morphettville.

INSENSATA: Betting drift told you all good things come to an end.

ZOURKHAN/LIAPARI Raced well below market expectations.

RIDES OF THE DAY

A dead heat between the two rails hugging rides by Bobby El-Issa to win the Townsville Cup on Chivadahli and Ryan Maloney on Every Faith at Caulfield.

BLACKBOOK

CHARLEVOIX: Would be in everybody’s blackbook. Certainty beaten.

CHAPEL ROAD: Untested behind a wall of horses. Had plenty to offer.

OBERLAND: Never got a crack. Big improver next time.

MORE TO GAIN: Excellent first-up. Set for a good campaign.

SULTAN OF SWING: No luck from wide gate. Talented.

BERGERAC: Ready to win over a middle distance.